Chapter 1 Chapter 1 My husband hired a young , gorgeous CFO who controls everything - company money , household money . you name it . So I need her permission to buy any groceries . When I complained , he said it was " for our family's future . " Until the day everything went wrong- My delivery turned into an emergency C - section , and our daughter was immediately rushed to the ICU with pneumonia . And what do I get while lying there bleeding ? Rylee , flipping through my medical bills : " C - section costs aren't covered . You pay . Also , the baby's ICU stay ? That's on you two to split . I'll process it - maybe three days for approval . " Three days . My daughter fighting for her life , and she's talking the damn payment plans ! I look at my husband , barely able to speak : " Garrett ... is this what you want ? " He shrugs . " Don't question Rylee's professionalism . But since you did give me a kid , I'll knock 20 % off your half . " I burst out laughing . 20 % off my own childbirth ?! How fucking ridiculous ! I can't wait to see how much you get to keep when we're in divorce court , honey . Spoiler alert - it won't be a 20 % discount for you . The night I had an emergency C - section , my daughter was rushed to the NICU right after birth due to aspiration pneumonia . While my husband went to handle the payment , Rylee , the petite finance manager , intercepted him . She glanced at the medical bill and coldly addressed me : " Juniper , you needed a C - section because of your weak constitution . I can only approve the basic natural birth coverage . " " And the epidural you got , plus the birthing coach and doula - all of that was just you being extra and dramatic . None of that's getting approved . " " After deducting those expenses , the remaining delivery costs will be split fifty - fifty between you and Mr. Garrett . Any objections ? " I was stunned . Facing Rylee's matter of fact , business like demeanor , I couldn't even process what she was saying . Seeing my reaction , Rylee let out a soft laugh and handed me the reimbursement form . " Go ahead and fill this out . I can fast - track it for you . " " If we're lucky , you'll get the money approved in about three days . " I stared at that flimsy reimbursement form . After what felt like forever , I slowly looked up at my husband , my voice trembling : " Garrett , is this what you want too ? " QUERYTHING 00 % My husband paused , meeting Rylee's flirtatious gaze . He nodded . " Rules are rules . You can't question Rylee's professionalism just because you're being selfish . " " But to reward you for giving me a child , I'll give you an extra 20 % off your half of the expenses . " Every drop of blood in my body turned ice - cold . Ten months of pregnancy , seven layers cut through . And he said he'd give me a discount . I looked at Garrett with the eyes of a complete stranger , my mind frozen , unable to even tell if what he was saying was real . A crushing sense of absurdity wrapped around me , suffocating . After a long moment , I finally managed to speak , my voice shaking : " This is why you brought Rylee here today ? " " Our daughter is fighting for her life in the NICU , and you have her here calculating my delivery costs ? " The freshly sutured C - section incision shot through with sharp pain , making my face go pale . Under my hospital gown , warmth seeped out continuously , and the heavy scent of blood filled the air . Seeing me covered in cold sweat , Garrett frowned , a flicker of concern crossing his eyes . Just as he was about to speak , Rylee's mocking voice cut him off . She stared at me with pure provocation in her eyes . " Juniper , could you stop being such a drama queen ? If you can't afford kids , why have them ? " " Oh , and your daughter's hospital bills ? I'm not covering those either . After all , the kid's health problems are basically your fault . " She suddenly leaned closer to me , her voice barely audible : " Thought you could trap a man with a baby ? Ha , how pathetic are you ? " " Too bad you're such a useless mom - even your kid probably won't make it ... " My mind exploded with a deafening buzz , all rational thought vanishing . I struggled to push myself up from the hospital bed , ignoring the tubes attached to my body , and lunged at Rylee like a wild animal . " SHUT UP ! " " My daughter is fine ! Shut your mouth ! " After forcing out those words , I had no strength left . Everything went dark . Rylee stumbled back two steps and landed perfectly in Garrett's arms . Her eyes instantly filled with tears as she choked out : " It's all my fault for not knowing how to talk properly . I upset Juniper . " " Garrett , maybe I should just quit . I can handle being hurt , but I can't let this affect your relationship with Juniper . " EVERYTHING 0.29 % Chapter 1 The moment Garrett heard that , his face darkened completely . He stared at me coldly , enunciating each word clearly : " Apologize to Rylee ! " " As the company's finance manager , everything she does is for the company's benefit . " " What gives you the right to lose it on her ! " I bit my lip hard , staring at Garrett in disbelief , my heart turning to ice . Tears fell without warning . How ridiculous . He wanted me - a woman who had just survived a life - or - death surgery to deliver his child - to apologize to Rylee ? But Garrett's eyes were full of warning . I closed my eyes with difficulty , my voice hoarse . " I did nothing wrong . Why should I apologize ? " " She's the one who cursed my ba- " Before I could finish , Rylee shot me a venomous look , broke free from Garrett's embrace , and ran toward the door . Tears streamed down her face . " This is all my fault ! I'll submit my resignation right now and disappear forever , so I won't be an eyesore to Juniper anymore ! " Garrett immediately panicked and chased after her . As he turned to leave , he paused , fixing me with an icy stare full of threats . " Won't apologize , huh ? Ha , Juniper , you'd better stay this stubborn forever ! " " You'll come crawling back to me one day !! " Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!